How environmental changes are affecting bird population dynamics is one of the most challenging conservation issues. Dietary studies of top avian predators could offer scope to monitor anthropogenic drivers of ecosystem changes. We investigated the diet of breeding Eleonora's falcon in an area of Northeastern Algeria in the years 2010-2012. Feathers and insect remains originating from prey plucking behavior were analyzed, providing insights into the seasonally changing diet of this raptor, as well as the trans-Mediterranean avian migration. A total of 77 species of birds (16 Sylviidae, 11 Turdidae, and 4 Emberizidae), 3 species of insects, and 1 lizard were identified among prey remains, reflecting a diverse diet. Diet composition and prey abundance varied seasonally, faithfully correlating with the passage of migrant birds as recorded from bird ring recoveries. Our findings suggest that dietary studies of predators might be deployed to investigate changes in bird migration. We discuss our results in the context of trans-Mediterranean migration, with early-season prey mainly comprising trans-Saharan migrants (Apus apus and Merops apiaster) and late-season prey being dominated by Mediterranean winter migrants (Erithacus rubecula, Turdus philomelos, Sylvia atricapilla, and Sturnus vulgaris). Notably, we observed a significant reduction in species richness of passerine remains in 2012, potentially highlighting a decline in the diversity of avian migrants.

Biology and Ecology Department University of Constantine Constantine Algeria

Biology Department University Badji Mokhtar Annaba Algeria

Department of Functional Ecology Institute of Botany The Czech Academy of Sciences Třeboň Czech Republic

Department of Zoology College of Science King Saud University Riyadh Saudi Arabia

Faculty of Science Jihočeská Univerzita České Budějovice Czech Republic

Laboratoire de Conservation des Zones Humides University 8 mai 1945 Guelma Algeria

Research Institute for the Conservation of Mediterranean Wetlands Tour du Valat Le Sambuc France

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